Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1887-12-28
THE BIG STRIKES END.
TRAINS On THE READING ROAD RUNNING
As USUAL
Midnight Conference Ends the Strike AMI the Meu
Ordered 10 Return to Work - The
Company Absolutely Refuses
10 Arbltrate

PHILADELPHIA, December - Shortly
after o'clock this morning the Executive
Committee of the Reading Employees con-
vention decided to lift the great strike on
the Reading system pending arbitration
with the company.
The five crews over whom the trouble
originated are TO be supported meanwhile
by financial aid from the employees.
This decision was reached after confer
euce with Superintendent Sweigarl at his
Office, Ninth and Green streets, about nine
o'clock last night. The committee then
returned to their meeting place at Port
Richmond, and after three hours dis
cussiOn decided to admit their case TO ar
bitratiOn.
In the afternoon a motion had been car
ried to propose arbitration to the officials
Mr. Sweigard met the committee graciOusly
and assured them such plan would be
agreeable to the Reading Railroad. There
we're present fourteen members of the COM
mittee, representing all sections OF the
road. The decision of the Knights in Read
ing yesterday not to strike is supposed to
have had some influence on the action of
the board.
One OF the committee said this morning:
we decided it would he far better to pay
the five striking crews their wages rather
than jeOpardize SD many interests. Mr.
Swei 2ard has always treated us squarely and
we feel we can trust him. All side issues
will be sunk, and only the main point in
dispute arhitrated on. We have not yet
agreed on the time nor method of arbitra-
tioE; that will be settled at tine convent
ence nf both sides, but as speedily aS pOssi-
bio. We have sent telegrams to all our
assemblies to resume work at once. We
feel sure the public will declare our de-
cision wise one, especially as this city
might be 50 seriously Affected at the pres
ent time. We DO not anticipate any diff
Guilty in settling the matter"
4 most important phase Of the Reading
employee strike was the appearance of
Chief Arthur, OF the Brotherhood of Loco
tive Engineers, who, it is said, proposed to
an the strikers places with Brotherhood
men.
once Yesterday, the hig strike had been
declared settled, and again in the evening
il came within an Gce Cf reaching happy
termination through arbitration, but I few
sharp words brought the cloud again over
the sLy. As the second conference was
about 10 break uD Mr.. Lee made re-
mark abOut the membership of the mems
committee
II will not, of conrse," said Mr.. Swei-
gard, ia reply, treat with the men rs
Kuigbts Oi Labor. They must come IS
employees of the Reading Railroad Com
pany."
That settles IT," said Mr.. Kelly, aud
he walked TO the door. The other com-
mittremeu followed him, and they lett the
ronm. The committee then returned to
their meeting place in Port Richmond and
| reported 10 the convention ct employees,
and after loug discussion the strike was
declared OFF and the men ordered to return
| to work.
All trains were moving on the Reading
Railroad this morning and no further
trouble is anticipated. Nearly all the en-
ployes reported Tor duty promptly at seven
o'clock at the various depot and freight
yards ~ we'll as those employed at the coal
wharyes at Port Richmond. The work OF
| moving the coal trains and transferring the
coal from the cars TO the vessels at the
wharf was at once begun, aud there was
very little evidence OF the great strike
which for the past few days has threatened
to paralyze the business Of the entire
Reading Railroad system.
quite a number of employees in the va
| rious branches failed to report, but the
officials state that these perhaps have been
celebrating Christmas too enthusiastically,
and that their places will he kept open for
| them "A few days